It`s Hot Stuff, And Off The Wall

How can you tell one hot pepper from another? Here`s a way to help you put a name to your pain and decorate your kitchen as well.

Celestial Arts has designed two great-looking posters: Chile Fresco

(fresh) and Chile Seco (dried). Each poster shows more than 30 varieties of the fiery hellcats, reproduced photographically for fail-safe identification. Brief descriptions tell common uses as well as just how much heat the generate on a scale of one to ten.

There`s not a wimpy one in the bunch. The most temperate peppers come in at 2, which might be described as a noticeable sting on the tongue. And then, just how macho is macho? Tiny, innocent looking macho peppers are the real musclemen of the chili world, rating a 10. Think of them as a bolt from hell and be grateful they`re rarely available here.

The posters are printed on heavy parchment colored paper, bordered in a clean Southwestern motif. They`ll soon be available at Season to Taste Books, 911 W. School in Chicago. The suggested price is $15 per poster or $25 for both. They also can be ordered by calling 800-841-2665.